The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:5–8).
Many generations after Adam and Eve, what had once been called “very good” had become very bad (Genesis 1:31). Humanity’s propensity for sin grieved the heart of God. But a man named Noah found favor in his sight. Following God’s instructions, Noah builds a huge ark to spare his family and representative animals during a massive flood. While all life outside the boat was destroyed, the remnant inside was saved.
As I reflect on Noah and his family, I realize that our idea of God’s favor might be flawed. Being favored by God doesn’t guarantee a life of ease. For Noah, it meant building something that didn’t make sense, being shut up in a boat for a week before a drop of rain fell, cleaning up after a bunch of animals, and being confined with them along with his family for a very long time while the waters finally receded.
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith (Hebrews 11:7).
Faithful God, help us recognize areas of our lives that grieve your heart. Give us the desire to abandon our sins and return to you. Make us aware of preconceived notions we have of your favor. Help us see every difficult task before us as an opportunity to increase our faith.
